CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015 begins with faulty perceptions about strong sides ahead of their matches. Even through Costa Rica reached semi-finals of World Cup last year, still there are still doubts about the team ahead of the Gold Cup 2015. Same goes for strong teams like Mexico and especially USA to reach knock out stages even though both teams have troubled even the strongest teams in the World.

United States enter this tournament as favourites after claiming the trophy two years ago. However the team had difficult period since last year and weight of expectations is getting heavy on their shoulders as the journey progresses ahead of the matches. US coach Klinsmann said that the aim of team is to qualify for the Confederations Cup in Russia 2017 and this is the basic message to all the members of team and players. Even though the road through this tournament looks quite straightforward but still nothing could be predicted at this moment as other teams have also increased their level since last year. Both US and Mexico enter into Gold Cup 2015 as finalist if everything works as expected but still the other teams like Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras are looking to make them run for money. Other sides have already displayed their potential in friendly and practice matches. Rigorous travel and tight schedules pose problems for every team and even US is no exception to that.

Complicated route for US starts with Group A as they go ahead with their first match against Honduras during their first match on Tuesday while Haiti pose an unpredictable challenge in second match on Friday. The final match would be played against tough team like Panama on July 13. In the recent news, team USA Dempsey address USA captaincy and Klinsmann backs him as a captain. USA has beaten Germany and stun Netherlands earlier in last few matches while Jermaine Jones is out of the team due to groin injury.

If USA is looking to win the group matches and they must understand the predicament as soon as possible. There is no margin for error even as they go ahead with minnows like Haiti. US midfielder Kyle Beckerman accepts the fact that the team is placed in a harder group since last two years of the tournament. The focus of the team needs to be right there at the start of the tournament. They need to be prepared.

Speaking of their top contenders like Mexico, they also enter Gold Cup 2015 after a disappointing and controversial run in Copa America. Their main aim would be strengthen the defence. Other contenders like Costa Rica has retained its players from World Cup dream run and looking to add more tough competitions. On the other hand, Panama still trusts their experienced side to sail through this year Gold Cup. Every team has a clear set of targets and plans in this tournament. US midfielder Alejandro Bedoya says that the expectations from players are high but the team is high in confidence with last two victories over Germany and Netherlands.